Duke Island War

The Duke Island War was a war started in 8 NE by Hecate against Ketchikan for control of Duke Island. It quickly expanded as foreign powers became involved.

Background
Angela Lindsay, the new Governor of Hecate, sought to diminish the power of Hecate's neighbors, especially Ketchikan and Skeena. She claimed Duke Island for Hecate and awarded Toby H. Jones a commission in the Hecate Army, angering both of her opponents. On January 30, 8 NE, she declared war on Ketchikan. On the 31st, Skeena elected to join the war.

Battle of Dixon Entrance
The deciding naval engagement of the war, the Battle of Dixon Entrance was a swift engagement on Feb 4, 8 NE between the small navies of Ketchikan and Hecate. Roughly 15 crewmen of Ketchikan's frigate KS Ketchikan were killed, and none were lost on the cutter KS Gravina Island. Both the HS Prince Rupert (frigate) and HS Hecate Strait (cutter) were sunk with no survivors.

First Battle of Terrace
Both the 1st and 2nd Prince Rupert Battalions of Hecate marched east toward the city of Terrace as soon as the war began. On Feb 15, 8 NE, they reached the city. They engaged in a bloody battle outside the city with the 2nd Terrace Battalion, sustaining 418 casualties in the assault and inflicting 528. On Feb 17, 8 NE, Hecate troops entered the city and hunted down survivors, losing 152 more men but killing 340. On Feb 20, 8 NE, with Skeena's remaining forces driven east of the city, Toby H. Jones ordered the city burned, killing 1,304 civilians. Seth E. Falconer was captured by Jones' forces. Col. Jones personally executed Falconer in the city square. On Feb 25, 8 NE, the remaining troops of Terrace surrendered.

Battle of Prince Rupert
With Hecate's forces marching east, Ketchikan seized an opportunity to capture Prince Rupert. The Ketchikan Battalion landed in the city and raised the Ketchikan flag on Feb 24, 8 NE. Angela Lindsay, having already escaped to Port Royal, ordered her remaining forces right back to Prince Rupert. On March 15th, her forces attacked the city and were easily repulsed. 644 troops were lost, to Ketchikan's 108.

Ketchikan's forces quickly responded, counterattacking and killing or capturing the remaining forces of Prince Rupert at the cost of 40 casualties. Toby H. Jones was killed in the fighting.

With the battle complete, Ketchikan announced its intention to incorporate the defeated states of Hecate and Skeena. Prince George refused to allow the growth of another empire, and declared war.

Second Battle of Terrace
On July 1st, 8 NE, the entire 3rd Infantry Regiment of Prince George assaulted the City of Terrace. In 2 days of fighting, they shattered the Ketchikan Battalion and advanced west. However, after meeting Angela Lindsay, Claude C. Howard chose not to endorse the independence of Hecate. Instead, he proposed constructing a navy to invade Ketchikan and create a larger empire.

Aftermath
Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka, and Juneau rallied behind Ketchikan with their collective naval power, deterring Prince George from attempting a naval invasion. Hecate and Skeena were incorporated into Prince George. Peace was officially made on July 31st, 8 NE.